Heddle frame lift device

ABSTRACT

High-speed heddle frame lift device, also known as a shed forming apparatus, in which the control times for the draw members amount up to two rotations of the drive heddle frame of the loom. Each heddle frame lift unit is composed of several known shed forming devices which are arranged parallel and one behind the other. While one heddle frame lift device releases the heddle frame lift, the second heddle frame lift device is being controlled for the next lift.

United States Patent [151 3,703,195 Schwarz 1 Nov. 21, 1972 [54] HEDDLE FRAME LIFT DEVICE OTHER PUBLICATIONS [72] Inventor: Rudolf Schwarz, l-lorgen-Zurich, German Publication Serial No. 1,106,704 to Osswald Switzerland of 2-965. [73] Assignee: Staubli AG, Horgen-Zurich, Swit- Primary Examiner Henry Jaudon Zerland AttorneyWoodhams, Blanchard and Flynn [22] Filed: Aug. 12, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [2]] Appl. No.: 63,090

High-speed heddle frame lift device, also known as a shed forming apparatus, in which the control times for Foreign Appllcatloll y Data the draw members amount up to two rotations of the Aug. 13, 1969 Switzerland ..l2283/69 f .heddle frame hedd'e frame unit IS composed of several known shed forming devices which are arranged parallel and one behind [22] (SI. the omen while one heddle frame lift device releases [.1- n c frame the second heddle frame Fleldof Search l device is being controllcd for the next [56] References Cited 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 8/1903 Switzerland ..l39/74 PATENTEDNI V m 3. 703; 195

SHEET 1 OF 4 Fig.1

PRIOR ART Fig.2

PRIOR ART AUDANEKS PATENTEB 2 1 SHEET 2 OF 4 Fig.4

F|g.5 m m PRIOR ART mm F P'ATENTED W21 m2 SHEEI 3UP 4 INVENTOR. 67/0011 SCHWARZ Maul/24724 AWO/WVEYS PATENTED W2 2 3. 703; 195 SHEET u [If 4 l N VE N TOR. RUDOLF scmmz HEDDLE FRAME LIFT DEVICE Known card-controlled shed forming apparatus, such as a high-speed dobby, Jacquard machine or similar, particularly those which are built according to the Hattersley principle, have the characteristic that the draw members, like for example draw hooks, must be controlled for connection or nonconnection to the draw knife within the shed standstill time during which the draw knife is in its normal position. The duration of the shed standstill is on the average of rotation of the crankshaft of the weaving machine. Such shed forming machines often have a longer shed dwell for the reversal than would be required by the loom for the weft registration so that for this reason either the full capacity of the loom cannot be utilized or control errors could occur in the shed forming machine at a reduced reversing time.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a shed forming machine which has all advantages of the known shed forming devices, particularly those of the Hattersley system, and can work according to the openshed double lift principle, according to the negative or positive principle, and with which high speeds of 1,000 t/min. and more can be achieved, whereby a shed dwell is no longer needed for the reversal including the setting up and cancelling of the reading-off or engagemcnt clearance of the draw members. Also the pick logic working in the forward and backward drive is maintained in the high speed zones.

This is achieved according to the invention in a shed forming machine in which two or more heddle frame lift devices, also known as shed forming devices,- of a known type are united to form a heddle frame lift unit, also known as a shaft lift unit, and same are so arranged that the draw or push elements thereof which effect the heddle frame, also known as the shaft movement each acts onto one shaft in such a manner that the control members control the lift members, for each weft registration at a nonworking shed forming device. In this manner, due to the plurality of shed forming devices acting onto the same shaft, by maintaining the known shaft movement, a new sequence of movement of the driving members for the lift members is obtained.

Essentially it deals with the superposition of two shed forming machines of the known type, which superposition permits a division of the control times at a uniform shaft moving cycle.

The apparatus comprises a shed forming machine of the Hattersley system with a baulk at the center of which is connected a jack lever connected to the heald shaft and further baulks are connected to the baulk ends of said baulk, which further baulks carry each at their ends draw hooks which are to be controlled in a patterned manner, and a reading mechanism for a patternlike control of said draw members, and draw knives for operating the draw members, all of which is characterized in that the shed forming machine has at least three, preferably four, conventional draw knives and each shaft lift unit of this machine cooperates with all draw knives.

The method for the operation of such a shed forming machine with one secondary baulk for each main baulk end and at least four independently controlled lift members is characterized according to the invention in that one lift member per weft registration is controlled in a patterned manner and that the sequence of the control of the lift members remains constantly the same, while one and the same lift member is withdrawn or not withdrawn, respectively, at each fourth weft for operating the shaft.

A shed forming machine is already known in which two shed forming devices which are positioned parallel to one another and act onto the same shaft are united to form a shaft lift unit. With such apparatus, three and more shaft positions are possible. This shed forming machine is used particularly in the velvet and plush weaving mills.

Compared to this, the objective of the present invention is to obtain with the new shed forming machine a substantial increase of the operating speed at normal shaft movements. The tendency in construction looms has been to drive them at constantly higher speeds and the present shed forming machine provides for an above average rate of operation.

These differences in the shaft position, however, also exhibit differences in the structure of the shed forming machines in that the new machine operates with at least three, preferably four individually controlled draw knives. Such as arrangement utilizes in the control of the individual draw knives a maximum period of 720 angle degrees or two rotations of the drive shaft of the weaving machine.

One exemplary embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic structure of a shed forming machine of a known construction attached to a loom,

FIG. 2 illustrates a detail of a shed forming machine with a known preneedle system as a reading and control mechanism for the patterned control of the draw hooks,

FIG. 3 illustrates a known simple drive which can be used for controlling the movement of a plurality of draw knives,

FIG. 4 illustrates the working diagram of the draw knives of a shed forming machine of the Hattersley system, as is for example illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 illustrates the working diagram of the draw knives ofa shed forming machine of the invention,

FIGS. 6-8 schematically illustrate three positions of the draw knives, draw hooks and baulks of the shed forming machine of the invention, which positions correspond to the points of time identified with VI, VII, and VIII in the diagram of FIG. 5.

First the structure of a known shed forming machine, namely of the Hattersley system, will be explained since most individual mechanisms can be found in the shed forming machine of the invention either in the same or altered version.

According to FIG. 1, the two draw knives 3 are moved back and forth through the cross lever 2 by the drive 1. A draw hook 4 is associated with each draw knife 3, which draw hook each is pivotably connected to the end of the baulk 5. The jack lever 7 engages the center of the baulk 5 and is supported on the axis 6 and to act through the draw members 8 onto the up and down movable shaft or heddle frame 9 of the weaving machine. The illustrated machine operates according to the principle of the spring release of the shaft by means of springs 10. The draw hooks 4 are controlled I M007 m 4 by the pattern card 13 provided with cams pegs through the feeler lever 11 and the support needles 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modification having a reading-in mechanism for the known patterned control of the draw hooks 4 as is disclosed more in detail in Swiss Pat. No. 355 097. Here too, 5 is the baulk, 3 are the draw knives and 13 the pattern card showing the pattern holes which are read by the reading needles 14. The normal position of the draw hooks 4 is obtained by means of the support needles 12 which receive the reading of the reading needles 14 from the push elements 15.

In place of the cross lever 2 for the drive of the draw knife 3 (FIG. 1), the draw knife can be reciprocated by means of a conventional cam-and-lever mechanism. The present invention contemplates utilizing a plurality of draw knives for each heddle frame, such as the draw knife A, B, C, and D diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3, and the pattern of movement of these draw knives will be explained in detail hereinafter. To permit reciprocating movement of the draw knives, there may be provided a conventional mechanism which includes a rotatable shaft 16 having a plurality of cam lobes 17 thereon which are appropriately angularly spaced from one another around the periphery of said shaft for causing reciprocating movement of the plurality of draw knives in the desired phase relationship. The cam lobes 17, in response to rotation of the shaft 16, cause pivotal movement of the levers 18 which pivot about the pivot point 19 to thus cause the desired reciprocating movement of the draw knife A, B, C, and D in the desired phase sequence. A mechanism of the type illustrated in FIG. 3 for controlling a plurality of reciprocating members in a desired sequence is well known, as illustrated in US. Pat. No. 1,319,213.

FIG. 4 illustrates the diagram of movement of the draw knives 3 of the shed forming machine according to FIG. 1. The distance Z means for the loom the time of a weft registration (or insertion of a pick if it is only one thread) and corresponds to a crankshaft rotation. H and T, respectively, identify the upper and lower shed positions, respectively, of the draw knives. In consideration of the shed dwell, h is the lift for the weft registration effectively available to the weaver. Thus, for each weft, the two draw knives 3 are pulled out interchangeably. When one knife is pulled out, the counterknife is in the rear dead-center position. The control of the draw hooks must occur during this time. The faster the working speed, the shorter is the control time so that errors are readily possible. A further increase of the working speed is therefore limited.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate the arrangement of the draw hooks according to the invention and the part cooperating therewith. The jack lever 7 is again hinged to the center of the known main or primary baulk 5, which lever is supported on the axis 6. The draw member for the heald shaft (not illustrated) is identified with 8. The known draw hook is now replaced by the two draw levers 31, a secondary baulk 32 each being hinged centrally to said draw levers 31. These secondary baulks each carry a draw hook 34 at their ends. Each of the four draw hooks is associated with a draw knife 33. The arrangement is completed by the stationary bars 20.

Both the draw hooks 34 and the draw knives 33 can now be controlled or operated each individually with the same means as used in known shed forming machines.

From the diagram of FIG. 5, the movement of the four draw knives relative to one another can be read. In the present example, the diagram is divided by entering on top the curves of movement of the two upper knives and on the bottom the curves of movement of the two lower knives. The draw knives and the associated curves are identified with A, B, C and D. Here too, the distance Z corresponds to one weft or to one crankshaft rotation. The upper line H in the diagram corresponds to the pulled-out position of the draw knife, namely when the draw hook is connected, the heald shaft is in the upper shed position. The lower line T in the diagram corresponds to the normal position, namely the not pulled-out position of the draw knife whereby the heald shaft is in the lower shed position. If a curve of movement of a knife falls below the line T, this means that the knife moved on past its normal or basic position while the end of the secondary baulk rests against the stationary bar. The engagement clearance is created between the locking surfaces of draw knife and drawhook for the control of the draw hooks.

It can be understood from the diagram of FIG. 5 that the draw knives A, B, C, and D are pulled out one after the other, namely each knife and thus each draw hook connected thereto stands in pulled-out position at each fourth weft. Since the back and forth swinging movement itself extends over two wefts and the setting up and cancellation of the engagement clearance also takes approximately the time period of one weft, the time period U of one entire weft or-reference to the crankshaft-a time U for controlling the new position of the draw hook is provided comprising a full 360 of the crankshaft compared with a close in the known shed forming machines and such is available for controlling the draw hooks.

The diagram is one of a shed formingmachine which drives a heald shaft according to the open-shed doublelift method and is arranged so at such an extreme limit of operation that it no longer has any shed standstill.

For the purpose of additional explanation of the operation of the draw knives, FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 schematically illustrate the position of the draw knives at the times identified with VI, VII, and VIII in the diagram of FIG. 5.

In FIG. 6, corresponding to VI of FIG. 5, the two upper knives A and B are in the crossing position of their reciprocal movement. The two lower knives C and D are in the normal position and have a full engagement clearance E. The two lower draw hooks are free for the control. Since none of the two upper draw hooks 34 was connected to the draw knife, the shaft remains in the lower shed.

In FIG. 7, corresponding to VII of FIG. 5, the draw knife B is in the pulled-out position. The draw knife C has cancelled the engagement clearance, the associated draw hook is controlled upwardly and the draw knife A is just then forming its engagement clearance. The draw knife D remained unchanged since the position according to FIG. 6, namely it is in its rearmost normal position, thus forming the engagement clearance E.

106007 mss- The lowermost draw hook was controlled for connec- 1 tion.

In FIG. 8, corresponding to VIII of FIG. 5, the uppermost draw knife A has cancelled the engagement clearance. The draw knife B is in its rearmost position, thus forming a engagement clearance, while the draw knife C has just now concluded its back and forth swinging movement in order to now form the reading off clearance. The lowermost draw knife D is with the draw hook engaged thereto in its pulled-out position. The shaft is in the upper shed.

From the operation it can be seen that the drive of the draw knives 33 and the control of the draw hooks 34 do not differ from the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3. Also the formation of the engagement clearance E is done according to the example of a known shed forming machine. The shed forming machine can be equipped with one single sensing or reading mechanism for the pattern card. However, it is also possible to control the two draw hooks hinged to a secondary baulk through one of two reading-off mechanisms. The draw knives can be driven by cam plates (FIG. 3) or intermittently rotating cranks (FIG. 1). The reading-off clearance can be produced from a recess in the cam or from an additional cam plate.

This described apparatus for the movement of shafts can also be used for the release of the heddles of a Jacquard machine.

In a modified embodiment of the new shed forming machine it is possible to arrange a secondary baulk only on one draw lever 31, while the second draw lever is constructed directly as a draw hook with associated draw knife. However, the arrangement requires such a great reconstruction of the known shed forming machines and brings about such an unimportant advantage that the manufacture thereof is not profitable. In such case the pattern card would have to be contacted in a completely different manner from known types of pattern cards.

The most important advantages of the described shed forming machine can be summarized in that ample time is available for the production and cancellation of the reading-off clearance and the control of the draw hooks. A shed dwell is also no longer needed for the hook control, and the weft-logic work is assured by using the suitable reading mechanism. The working speeds can be increased to 1,000 weft/min. and more. The arrangement of the invention can be used both in negative shed forming machines and in positive shed forming machines.

The invention was explained in connection with a shed forming machine with shed forming devices of the Hattersley system. However, the same effect of the invention can be obtained with any other known shed forming device by installing connecting elements between the shaft and the weft forming devices of which a multiple, preferably two or four are arranged through which these devices act in a selected sequence onto one and the same shaft, while the devices which do not work therebetween can be used for the control function.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a heddle frame lift device for a weaving machine having a heddle frame, a pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said second pivot means and extending outwardly away therefrom, second secondary baulk means including third pivot means for securing said second secondary baulk means to said primary baulk means on the other side of said first pivot means, and a pair of second book members pivotally secured to said second secondary baulk means on opposite sides of said third pivot means and extending outwardly away therefrom, the improvement comprising:

at least four reciprocating draw knives, a first and second one of said draw knives each being releasably connectable to one of said pair of first book members for drawing said first hook members outwardly, and a third and fourth one of said draw knives each being releasably connectible to one of said pair of second book members for drawing said second hook members outwardly, whereby the permissible maximum speed of operation of said heddle frame lift device is substantially increased.

2. A heddle frame lift device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second draw knives each move in opposite directions; and

wherein said third and fourth draw knives each move in opposite directions but during a time .interval when said first and second draw knives are stationary.

3. A heddle frame lift device according to claim 1, including pattern card means for controlling which one of said hook members becomes engaged with the respective one of said draw knives; and

wherein said pattern card means controls said one of said hook member during a reciprocating motion of another one of said draw knives and said hook members.

\06007 our. 

1. In a heddle frame lift device for a weaving machine having a heddle frame, a pivotally mounted jack lever including linkage means secured to said heddle frame, primary baulk means including first pivot means for securing said primary baulk means to said jack lever, first secondary baulk means including second pivot means for securing said first secondary baulk means to said primary baulk means on one side of said first pivot means, a pair of first hook members pivotally secured to said first secondary baulk means on opposite sides of said second pivot means and extending outwardly away therefrom, second secondary baulk means including third pivot means for securing said second secondary baulk means to said primary baulk means on the other side of said first pivot means, and a pair of second hook members pivotally secured to said second secondary baulk means on opposite sides of said third pivot means and extending outwardly away therefrom, the improvement comprising: at least four reciprocating draw knives, a first and second one of said draw knives each being releasably connectable to one of said pair of first hook members for drawing said first hook members outwardly, and a third and fourth one of said draw knives each being releasably connectible to one of said pair of second hook members for drawing said second hook members outwardly, whereby the permissible maximum speed of operation of said heddle frame lift device is substantially increased.
 1. In a heddle frame lift device for a weaving machine having a heddle frame, a pivotally mounted jack lever including linkage means secured to said heddle frame, primary baulk means including first pivot means for securing said primary baulk means to said jack lever, first secondary baulk means including second pivot means for securing said first secondary baulk means to said primary baulk means on one side of said first pivot means, a pair of first hook members pivotally secured to said first secondary baulk means on opposite sides of said second pivot means and extending outwardly away therefrom, second secondary baulk means including third pivot means for securing said second secondary baulk means to said primary baulk means on the other side of said first pivot means, and a pair of second hook members pivotally secured to said second secondary baulk means on opposite sides of said third pivot means and extending outwardly away therefrom, the improvement comprising: at least four reciprocating draw knives, a first and second one of said draw knives each being releasably connectable to one of said pair of first hook members for drawing said first hook members outwardly, and a third and fourth one of said draw knives each being releasably connectible to one of said pair of second hook members for drawing said second hook members outwardly, whereby the permissible maximum speed of operation of said heddle frame lift device is substantially increased.
 2. A heddle frame lift device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second draw knives each move in opposite directions; and wherein said third and fourth draw knives each move in opposite directions but during a time interval when said first and second draw knives are stationary. 